When a 17-year-old Gareth Barry made his debut as sub for Aston Villa’s Ian Taylor at Hillsborough, no one could have imagine it was the first step in such a lengthy career.

The left-footed talented teenager was highly-regarded at Villa after being poached from Brighton 12 months earlier in 1997.

But, as he admits, not even Barry himself envisaged standing on the brink of a record 633rd Premier League game 19 years later.

Taylor recalls Barry as a quiet shy youngster during his early years at Villa Park.

But he reckons the midfielder, 36, is the ultimate team player who will deserve his moment in the limelight when West Brom visit Arsenal this evening.

Taylor, replaced by Barry in the 49th minute of Villa’s 3-1 win at the Owls in May 1998, told Mirror Sport : “I definitely remember Gareth coming through. He trained with us a youngster and I thought, ‘who is this lad?’ He was so cool, calm and collected on the ball. His quality was there for all to see from day one.

A young Barry in 1998 (Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

“The gaffer John Gregory had no hesitation in putting Gareth into the team because we saw it day in day out in training.

“Gareth just went about his business pretty quietly. I always used to take the mickey out of Gareth because he was so quiet.

“He never used to say a word in the dressing room really and I used to tell him to shut up.

“I would walk in and would say 'Gareth, will you shut up because you are deafening me!’

“But he led by example on the pitch, which is why he was later made captain at Villa. He was ‘Mr Reliable’ and never let anyone down.

(Image: Getty Images)

“He was always at least a seven out of 10, never got injured and was a manager’s dream. It is fantastic for him to reach this landmark.

“He wants to carry on playing as long as possible and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him break 700 games. I think he has a few years left in the Premier League. Hopefully he stays fit and well. He is a top guy and a top professional who has played the game in the right way.

“Gareth has never craved the limelight, he has just got on with his job playing football.

“He has probably been unsung really and perhaps previously people have only realised how good he is on the rare occasion he has missed a game.

“Fans tend to love players who stick it in the top corner occasionally but Gareth is essential to your team.”

Barry started off playing as a left-sided defender for Villa in Gregory’s star-studded team with senior pros like Stan Collymore, Dwight Yorke and Gareth Southgate.

But Taylor reckons he was always destined for a role higher up the pitch.

Barry has since made his name as a classy midfielder, with 53 England caps, who is superb on the ball and can pick a pass as he has gone on to equal Ryan Giggs’ appearance record. Taylor added: “They decided to play him as a left sided centre-half when Steve Staunton wasn’t around and he took to it quite easily.

Barry, Ian Taylor and Steve Stone (Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

“But I remember they were thinking he was going to be a centre-back. I thought he was too good to be a centre-back.”

Barry joined West Brom on a one-year deal which is due to be reviewed next summer.

The early signs already suggest he will get a new deal as boss Tony Pulis has rated him as Albion’s best performer so far.

Barry says he will consider dropping down the divisions if necessary to keep playing.

Barry joined West Brom from Everton this summer (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Yet fellow midfielder Taylor, who finished up at League One Northampton after a spell at Championship Derby, has urged him to stay in the Premier League as long as possible.

“I wouldn’t recommend him going down the leagues,” admitted Taylor. “The longer you can play at the top the better. When you get older it is nice to be going into a Premier League club everyday, you do get spoilt.”